Back in 2019, I was dealing with some serious work burnout, which really affected both my physical health and mental well-being. I spent most of my days in bed, focusing on taking care of my basic self-care needs – sleeping, eating, drinking water, and recovering.
At the same time, my neighbor started rebuilding her house, and the noise outside my window made it really hard to get any rest. So, instead of sleeping, I found myself staring at the construction through my bedroom window and blending in with the constant noise. One ordinary day, I told myself, “Let’s frame it” and from that moment on, I started taking photos day by day.
The first two weeks were pretty random. I didn’t have any specific intention when taking photos. I only had just enough energy to hold my phone and press the button.
Then, I began to notice a visual story unfolding through the photos I took. Beside the progress of the construction, I also saw how the workers were switching tasks and adjusting to the changes each day. That’s when my mind developed an interest in taking photos of the workers.
Then, whenever I held my phone, my mind started to focus. It began with deciding what to capture and even paying attention to the natural light before taking a photo. It also encouraged me to walk outside my bedroom to other windows in the house so I could find more angles of the workers.
What I didn’t expect was how meditative it became. It brought a sense of calmness, and in those moments, time seemed to fade away. I forgot about my worries, disappointments, and the feelings of being stuck. And for a while… I felt connected to the world outside my bedroom.
To me, photography isn’t just a form of art. It’s also a way to meditate without staying completely still like the traditional forms of meditation.
Here are a few selected shots from the 7 months I spent observing the neighborhood through my windows. I took them all with my iPhone 6.
